Rev. Jesse Jackson to speak at UIC March 17

March 6, 2014

Rev. Jesse Jackson

The University of Illinois at Chicago presents a talk by civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, who will reflect on the 30th anniversary of his bid for U.S. president and his founding of the National Rainbow Coalition, in addition to addressing the contemporary state of social justice movements.

The presentation, sponsored by the UIC Social Justice Initiative and the UIC Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement, is part of the UIC Chancellor’s Lecture and Event Series.

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Rev. Jesse Jackson has advised presidents, conferred with international heads of state and held leading roles in numerous civil rights efforts for more than 40 years.

Jackson garnered national and international attention for his historic 1984 presidential campaign when he received over 3 million votes, or 18 percent, in the Democratic primary. During the same year he founded the National Rainbow Coalition, a social justice organization based in Washington devoted to political empowerment, education, and changing public policy.

As leader of Operation PUSH since 1971, he has promoted peace and economic and social justice while working on issues related to human rights, gender equality and voter registration.

Jackson, who worked with Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, began his activism as a college student in the summer of 1960, seeking to desegregate the local public library in Greenville, S.C.

Among Jackson’s many awards is the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, which was conferred by President Bill Clinton in 2000.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information or to request disability accommodations, call (312) 413-3350.